Abstract: Repeatable no-backlash adjustable hydraulic stops are disclosed which have a rigid body which defines a cavity. One or more elastically deformable end plates are mounted in closing relation to the body cavity for enclosing and encapsulating an amount of liquid therein. A plunger in the body is movable in fluid displacing relation to the cavity for providing an accurate elastic displacement of the enclosing end plates which elastic displacement or movement is accurately repeatable by rotating an actuator rod which engages the plunger for varying the fluid displacing relationship to the interior of the cavity. An initial static pressure is formed within the cavity for pre-stressing the components and providing for no-backlash adjustment. Locating pads are formed exteriorly of the flexible walls defining an accurate stop position.

Abstract: A pressure measuring apparatus comprising a seal diaphragm that separates a fluid to be measured from a pressure transmitting medium that transmits a pressure variation of the fluid to be measured to a pressure detecting section. In such an apparatus, a non-electrically conductive film is coated on a surface of the seal diaphragm which is on the side of the fluid to be measured. As a result of the above construction, the pressure can be measured accurately over a long period of time while preventing hydrogen from passing through the seal diaphragm surely and protecting the seal diaphragm.

Abstract: The diaphragm has an outer flange and an inner portion which is deflectable relative thereto, with the inner portion having a lone, primary annular corrugation connecting a center of the inner portion to the outer flange and which, when viewed in cross section, has the general shape of one full cosine wave. A plurality of radially disposed waves present ridges to the high pressure side of the diaphragm, with each fairing in amplitude from a maximum generally midway of the diaphragm radius to zero generally at the center and at the outer flange. Each of the radial waves is arithmetically added to the primary wave so as to be integral therewith and has the general shape of one full cosine wave when viewed in cross-section both along and normal to the length of the ridge. In one embodiment, similarly shaped annular corrugations are added onto the primary corrugation as secondary annular waveforms so as to provide the diaphragm with greater sensitivity and longer deflection (stroke) capabilities.

Abstract: A method for providing a perfectly flat top with a sharp edge on a dynamic pressure sensor using a cup-shaped stretched membrane as a sensing element. First, metal is deposited on the membrane and surrounding areas. Next, the side wall of the pressure sensor with the deposited metal is machined to a predetermined size. Finally, deposited metal is removed from the top of the membrane in small steps, by machining or lapping while the pressure sensor is mounted in a jig or the wall of a test object, until the true top surface of the membrane appears. A thin indicator layer having a color contrasting with the color of the membrane may be applied to the top of the membrane before metal is deposited to facilitate the determination of when to stop metal removal from the top surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A diaphragm type fluid flow controller comprises a valve body having formed therein an inlet and an outlet passage, the passages communicating with a valve chamber formed in the valve body. The valve chamber is sealed by a flexible diaphragm. A threaded valve stem is rotated by a handle to cause pressure to be applied to the diaphragm to selectively open or close the valve. A stop ring limits movement of the valve stem in the direction of the diaphragm so that the pressure applied to the diaphragm is limited once the valve is closed. The diaphragm comprises a plurality of nested thin metal dome-shaped plates having upturned peripheral edges which are clamped between the stop ring and a rim formed on the valve body at the upper extent of the valve chamber. The plural plates insure air-tightness of the valve chamber because any rotation of the stop ring, resulting from tightening the valve after closure, is not transmitted to the lower-most diaphragm plate.

Abstract: The bellows comprise identical waves, having sidewalls in which the elastic deformation of the bellows is located and which have a general curved form in the same axial direction. The bellows can thus be put into a state of elastic axial contraction just sufficient, if the bellows are considered in axial half-section, for each sidewall to be at least approximately contiguous at a single point with the other sidewall of the same wave and at a single point with a sidewall of an adjacent respective wave and for the mean wave peak and wave trough directions respectively to be mutually offset in angle, at least one of them being oblique with respect to the axis of the bellows. The relation between the axis travel of the bellows and its life expectancy is thereby optimized.

Abstract: An isolator for use in pressure transmitters for isolating the process fluid being sensed from a sensor, comprises an isolating diaphragm that is thin, and made of a suitable corrosion resistant metal, such as tantalum, and which must be anchored to an isolator housing made of a substantially different metal such as stainless steel. Tantalum is very resistant to corrosion, and is a high melting point metal, which is substantially higher than the material comprising the sensor housing so direct welding is virtually impossible. The present invention relates to securing a support ring of the same metal as the diaphragm surrounding the cavity formed for the isolator fluid, preforming a thin metal diaphragm made of the selected material, and then welding the diaphragm and a ring overlying the diaphragm directly to the support ring.

Abstract: A metal diaphragm used in making valves designed for passage of highly pure liquids has, starting at an outer periphery, an outer collar designed to abut a planar base of a valve in sealing fashion and connected to a central part, on which an actuating device of the valve is designed to act, by several annular surfaces stepped upward from a plane in which the diaphragm abuts the base. The annular surfaces are successively inclined from the periphery to the central part. One of the annular surfaces is parallel to the plane in which the diaphragm abuts the base when no force is exerted on the diaphragm.

Abstract: A resilient diaphragm operated pressure switch has a Belleville spring washer with a dished spring disc nested in the center and supported on the inner periphery of the washer resisting movement of the diaphragm. An actuator member is spring biased against the disc and has one end of a toggle spring registered thereon with the other end connected to a movable switch contact blade initially in an open-circuit condition. Upon the diaphragm initially experiencing increasing pressure to a first level, the actuator of the dished disc reverses curvature and moves the actuator to effect movement of the contact blade to a closed circuit condition. Upon further pressure increase to a second level, the Belleville washer snaps over-center and causes further movement of the actuator in the same direction and causes the toggle spring to snap over-center and return the contact blade member to the open-circuit condition.

Abstract: An isolator for use in pressure transmitters for isolating the process fluid being sensed from a sensor, comprises an isolating diaphragm that is thin, and made of a suitable corrosion resistant metal, such as tantalum, and which must be anchored to an isolator housing made of a substantially different metal such as stainless steel. Tantalum is very resistant to corrosion, and is a high melting point metal, which is substantially higher than the material comprising the sensor housing so direct welding is virtually impossible. The present invention relates to securing a support ring of the same metal as the diaphragm surrounding the cavity formed for the isolator fluid, preforming a thin metal diaphragm made of the selected material, and then welding the diaphragm and a ring overlying the diaphragm directly to the support ring.

Abstract: A control device has a nested stack of dished disc elements disposed in a cup beneath a diaphragm to move toward an inverted dished configuration with snap action to perform a control function or the like in response to occurrence of a predetermined pressure applied to the discs through the diaphragm. An annulus or bolster disposed between the rim of the cup and the diaphragm has an inner diameter nested in closely spaced relation to the domed, central portion of the dished element at the top of the stack normally cooperate with the stack of elements in supporting the diaphragm against pressure applied to the diaphragm. The annulus protects the diaphragm from being damaged by being pressed against peripheral portions of the disc elements when the discs move with snap action to their inverted dished configurations.

Abstract: A metal diaphragm valve includes a valve casing and an inverted bowl-shaped metal diaphragm made of an elastic material and having a downwardly projecting collar disk made integral with the metal diaphragm in its center. The metal diaphragm defines within the valve casing a valve chamber into which one end of each of a pair of inlet and outlet passages open, with their opposite end being connected to an external pipe system for cleaning fluid. The vertical movement of a valve stem supported in the valve casing causes the metal diaphragm to move into contact with or away from an annular valve seat that is formed above the valve chamber. When the valve stem is forced down, the metal diaphragm is bent downward against its elasticity to bring its collar disk into close contact with the valve seat, closing the valve chamber. When the valve stem is uplifted, the metal diaphragm restores back to its original position, with the collar disk moved away from the valve seat, opening the valve chamber.

Abstract: A diaphragm control valve including a casing having an opening in one side, a cylindrical pipe mounted in a coaxial relation to the casing and having a flange forming a valve seat at one end, a flexible diaphragm symmetrically mounted in the casing in a spaced relation to the valve seat, and a cover mounted on one end of the casing forming a pressure chamber on one side of the diaphragm. The chamber is pressurized to move the diaphragm toward the valve seat to control the flow of fluid across the valve seat. A number of ports or slots are provided in the valve seat to relieve pressure buildup on the valve seat.

Abstract: The pressure sensor consists of a substrate and a diaphragm joined together around the periphery so as to form a chamber. The surface of the diaphragm facing away from the substrate is exposed to a medium whose pressure is to be measured. To protect the diaphragm against corrosion or abrasion, the diaphragm surface exposed to the medium is covered with a layer of silicon carbide, preferably by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compliant molded diaphragm which includes an operable surface area for forming a flexiblle barrier to prevent fluid flow between opposing sides of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is formed as a sandwich structure having first and second elastomeric layers and a third gas impermeable layer located between the first and second layers. The third layer may be provided as a thin layer of metal which is vapor deposited between the two elastomeric layers or may be a thin gas impermeable polymer film. The impermeable layer is preferably formed as a grid pattern in the operable surface area of the diaphragm such that portions of the first and second layers are exposed to each other whereby the first and second layers may be bonded to each other to prevent separation of the layers of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure sensing element having a housing including a flexible membrane receiving portion, a flexible disc member of predetermined shape secured within the housing, and a flexible membrane disposed within the housing, the flexible membrane being substantially more flexible than the disc member, the membrane having an outer portion hermetically secured to the membrane receiving portion, a central portion impinging against the disc member and conforming to the shape thereof and an intermediate unsupported portion joining the interior portion of the outer portion and the exterior portion of the central portion.

Abstract: A pressure vessel contains a flexible separator comprising three layers, an outer layer, an inner layer and an intermediate layer which is at least partly impermeable to gases. The intermediate layer comprises a metal film. A particular application of the pressure vessel is to braking circuits.

Abstract: A pump has in a housing a revolvable shaft which drives a piston stroke guide body. Drive pistons are provided with piston shoes which run on the guide face of the piston stroke guide body and drive fluid supply pistons of smaller diameter. The pump preferably has a fluid separator between lubricating and non-lubricating fluid, like for example between oil and water, whereof one of the fluids flows through an inner chamber which is provided with inlet and outlet valves while the other fluid acts in an outer chamber which is open toward the cylinder wherein the fluid supply piston reciprocates. Dead space fillers are provided to prevent losses by compression of fluid and seal means are assembled to prevent leakage of fluid from one into the other of the chambers. The fluid separator may be compressible and expandable within the elasticaly deformable range of the material whereof it is made.

Abstract: A pressure sensing element having a housing including a flexible membrane receiving portion, a flexible disc member of predetermined shape secured within the housing, and a flexible membrane disposed within the housing, the flexible membrane being substantially more flexible than the disc member, the membrane having an outer portion hermetically secured to the membrane receiving portion, a central portion impinging against the disc member and conforming to the shape thereof and an intermediate unsupported portion joining the interior portion of the outer portion and the exterior portion of the central portion.

Abstract: When pumping chambers were provided between tapered discs of axial compressibility and expandability, the discs worked perfect in the subcritical pressure range. But in the supercritical pressure range the high pressure in fluid would depart the discs away from each other and open a gap between the discs because the force of pressure in fluid in the chamber between the tapered discs was higher than the internal strength of the material of which the respective coned element was made. The invention now discovers that it is possible to provide a means which prevents the departure of a coned ring from a neighbored ring. The invention obtains this by providing a means which presses under actions of pressure in surrounding fluid the neighboring coned ring elements at all times together for a close and perfect sealing between them.

Abstract: A metal bellows core is comprised of a plurality of resilient annular metal diaphragm members which are brazed together. A method for fabricating a metal bellows core is comprised of steps including brazing the metal diaphragm members together simultaneously in a furnace. An apparatus for fabricating a metal bellows core is comprised of means for positioning, coaxially aligning and compressing the diaphragm members and brazing filler material members for brazing.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a diaphragm-actuated fluid-transfer control device, which comprises a flexible, substantially non-stretchable diaphragm body of a substantially circular outline surrounded and delimited by a beaded rim, the body having a substantially dish-like, bi-stable shape invertible from the first stable state, in which a first body surface is convex and a second body surface, concave, to the second stable state, in which the first body surface is rendered concave and the second body surface, convex. The device further comprises at least one substantially rigid, elongated arm fixedly embedded in the diaphragm to a depth exceeding the radial width of the beaded rim, the free end of which arm projects beyond the beaded rim. There is also described a diaphragm-actuated fluid transfer control device including the diaphragm.

Abstract: An automotive transmission control is shown having pressure switches to sense the state of actuation of solenoid valves to provide logic signals to a microprocessor type of transmission control. The pressure switches, which sense the pressure of hydraulic fluid controlled by the solenoid valves, use a dished shaped metallic diaphragm characterized in that the pressure-deflection curve of the center of the diaphragm has minimal hysteresis and reflects that the diaphragm is relatively stiff having a positive coefficient of pressure with increasing deflection up to and above a selected pressure level at which level the center accelerates between d.sub.1 and d.sub.2. The diaphragm is loosely held on a conductor at 0 psig with the fluid pressure when it increases forcing the diaphragm into sealing and electrical engagement with the conductor.

Abstract: A compliant sealing material with low or no gas permeability and low spring rate is made by coating a metal such as gold, on the surface of a polymer sheet. The metal acts as a complete gas barrier on an atomic level, and the polymer provides structural integrity and mounting attributes without detrimentally increasing compliance. A small number of metal atoms injected at a moderate energy into the near surface of the polymer act as link sites for joining subsequent lower energy atoms forming an impermeable layer. The total heat delivery to the polymer is minimized thereby preserving integrity and continuity. The material is particularly useful in micromechanical devices where high flexibility is needed with complete sealing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is connected to a supercharger which is powered by exhaust energy for compressing and feeding of the air charge. The supercharger has at least one exhaust chamber and one air compression chamber both having an intake and an output. A membrane is sandwiched between the two chambers for changing the volume in the charger. The membrane is comprised of tightly fitted single elements which are movable relative to each other and are made from a heat resistant material. The membrane is driven by exhaust gases entering into the exhaust chamber from the internal combustion engine such that the movement of the membrane is synchronized with piston movement of the internal combustion engine to move charged air from the air charge chamber to a piston cylinder.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device of this invention has a first diaphragm for defining a first pressure transmission chamber within a housing assembly with a pressure transmission fluid sealed therein and a second diaphragm for defining a second pressure transmission chamber within the housing assembly with a pressure transmission fluid sealed therein. The pressures of first and second measuring fluids both act upon the side opposite to that on which the corresponding diaphragm faces the corresponding pressure transmission chamber. The first and second diaphragms are both formed of a metal sheet having the modulus of 2,000 to 15,000 Kg/mm.sup.2. A pressure-sensing element is disposed between the pressure transmission chambers to sense a differential pressure level between the pressure transmission chambers.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluid-tight seal between a thin, flexible member and a member support including the steps of providing a pair of spaced apart braze material receiving recesses on an external surface of the member support having a combined depth to accommodate excess braze material during the brazing of the member to the support, positioning the member to extend across the recesses and the surface and brazing the member to the surface while maintaining the contact between the braze material and the member. An apparatus using this method to produce a fluid-tight seal for a thin, flexible member comprises a support surface, a pair of excess braze material receiving spaced apart recesses on the surface and having a combined depth for accommodating excess brazing material and a brazing material located between the member and the surface and covering the recesses and an adjacent portion of the support surface.

Abstract: An automotive transmission control is shown having pressure switches to sense the state of actuation of solenoid valves to provide logic signals to a microprocessor type of transmission control. The pressure switches, which sense the pressure of hydraulic fluid used to actuate the solenoid valves, use a dished shaped metallic diaphragm characterized in that the pressure-deflection curve of the center of the diaphragm has minimal hysteresis and reflects that the diaphragm is relatively stiff having a positive coefficient of pressure with increasing deflection up to and above a range of set point pressures within which the effective spring rate of the diaphragm changes with the diaphragm being relatively supple but having little or no negative coefficient of pressure.In a first embodiment a housing is shown in which a conductive lead pattern is molded in the housing with a plurality of switching stations.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus is formed by a flexible, metal wall structure surrounding and defining a hollow interior chamber and with a mechanism to compress and expand the structure to create a pumping action through an opening to the chamber. The pumping apparatus forms part of an overall system particularly adapted for pumping abrasive liquids.

Abstract: A gas pressure reducing regulator has a tied-diaphragm so as to obtain relatively complete valve closure even with corrosive gases that tend to deposit particulate matter on the valve seat and otherwise inhibit valve closure. Misalignment of the diaphragm with respect to the valve is accommodated in several ways. First, a loose thread connection is provided at the point of attachment between the valve stem and the diaphragm. Second, the valve poppet has a spherical surface which mates with a frustoconical valve seat. Third, the diaphragm, which has a depending skirt, is free to move across the open end of the valve body prior to clamping the top to the valve body with the diaphragm sandwiched in between.

Abstract: A completely dry fluid-tight reciprocating vacuum pump comprises one or more pumping chambers defined between two rigid parts which face one another in the axial direction. One is reciprocated in a straight line relative to the other. They are connected to one another by at least one axially flexible member of appropriate radial stiffness. Each of these members comprises an outside part fixed to a first of these rigid parts. The side of the first rigid part facing the flexible member is shaped to have a profile in diametral cross-section which is substantially the same as the profile in diametral cross-section that this member tends to assume, by virtue of its stiffness, in the configuration with the aforementioned rigid parts moved towards one another. The pump can be used for pumping corrosive and radioactive gases, such as tritium, for example.

Abstract: A pressure responsive control device having a pressure housing assembly defining a pressure chamber, an actuable controller fixed to the housing assembly and, a pressure transducer hermetically closing the pressure chamber. The transducer includes plural duplicate snap acting pressure responsive diaphragms, a diaphragm control plate hermetically bonded to the diaphragms and a support member hermetically joined between the control plate and the housing assembly. The diaphragms each are formed from thin sheets of spring metal and includes a central dome section having a surface finish less than 6 microinches A.A. on both sides. The diaphragms are nested together so that confronting faces of the dished sections are engaged when the diaphragms flex.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve for use in fuel systems for internal combustion engines which includes a two-part housing lamination with a diaphragm between the bottom and top housings and a centering valve guide disc above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is responsive to fuel pressure and will open a valve to by-pass fuel to a fuel tank. The centering valve guide disc functions to locate a diaphragm backing disc above the valve seat. A preferred diaphragm is formed of thin metal such as stainless steel which is confined at its periphery by housing elements to avoid destructive deformation in maximum pressure testing. In another embodiment, the metal operating diaphragm is secured at its periphery and formed in a manner to react in response to pressure to counteract increased spring force of a diaphragm backing spring. A press-in spring cap or cup allows calibration of the unit during assembly with a strike-in to fix the calibration in a tamperproof structure.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a flexible diaphragm mounted in a pump housing and sealingly separating internal pumping and driving chambers. An inlet aperture is situated to conduct pressurized material into the pumping chamber in a direction tangential to a surface of an end-portion of the pumping chamber, this end-portion having a circular cross-sectional shape and adjoining the diaphragm. The driving chamber comprises a plurality of interconnected grooves disposed in a pump housing surface normally contacting the diaphragm when the diaphragm is in an unflexed position. A plurality of fluid apertures are disposed to conduct a hydraulic pumping fluid into the driving chamber at a plurality of discrete locations.

Abstract: A diaphragm for pressure transducers which will be suitable for measuring small differentials is constructed by perforating, either partially or completely, the diaphragm material. The resulting diaphragm will require very small pressure differentials to obtain full scale deflection as compared with an unperforated diaphragm. The ideal configuration for the perforations is a series of convoluted slots etched completely through the diaphragm material from an inner radius, which may define one plate of a capacitive type transducer, to an outer radius near the periphery of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is etched all the way through, it is covered with a thin plastic film, which may be cemented to the diaphragm or just sealed to it at its edges.

Abstract: A fluid pressure transmitting diaphragm assembly is disclosed in which a diaphragm support plate (14) and a force transmitting disk (16) are attached respectively to the outer flange (46) and inner flange (48) of an annular diaphragm (44) having a concave portion (50) between the flanges, the concave portion having been formed by fluid pressure acting on the diaphragm to freely deform it following hermetic welding of the flanges. A method of manufacturing such an assembly also is disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure responsive control device having a pressure housing assembly defining a pressure chamber, an actuable control fixed to the housing assembly and, a pressure transducer module hermetically closing the pressure chamber. The module includes a snap acting pressure responsive diaphragm, a diaphragm control plate hermetically bonded to the diaphragm outer periphery, and a support member hermetically joined to and supporting the control plate and hermetically joined to the housing assembly. The control plate has a supporting region rigidly supporting the diaphragm and the diaphragm control regions are yielded and deformed relative to the supporting region to position the control regions for stressing the diaphragm to determine the chamber pressure levels at which the diaphragm moves.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuator construction and method of making the same are provided, the method comprising the steps of forming a housing with an annular surface, securing an outer peripheral portion of a flexible diaphragm to the annular surface to define a fluid chamber with the housing whereby certain pressure differentials acting across the diaphragm cause movement thereof relative to the housing for actuation purposes or the like, and before the step of securing the diaphragm disposing a compression spring in the chamber to act between the housing and the diaphragm to tend to move the diaphragm in a direction away from the chamber, disposing a backup plate in the chamber so as to engage against the side of the diaphragm that faces the chamber, causing the spring to have one end thereof bearing against the backup plate, and forming the diaphragm to comprise a lamination having a polymeric layer defining the side thereof facing away from the chamber and a metallic layer defining the side thereof facing the c

Abstract: An expansible device for exerting force which has a generally "S" shape cross-section, being formed by stepped diameter cylinder, and arrangements using such a device are disclosed. The device may exert sealing forces and be controlled by admission of fluid pressure which acts on a thin wall member so supported as to be subjected to compressive stress alone.

Abstract: An engine knocking detection device has a diaphragm to be disposed in contact with the engine cooling water so as to resonate with pulsations of the pressure of the cooling water caused by engine knockings, and output elements responsive to the vibration of the diaphragm to produce an electrical output signal to be utilized for the control of engine spark timing. The water-contacting surface of the diaphragm is coated with a layer of a hydrophilic material operative to prevent attachment or adhesion of air bubbles to the water-contacting surface of the diaphragm whereby the sensitivity of the diaphragm to the water pressure pulsation is improved.

Abstract: A discal diaphragm body with a plurality of radially stress-relieving full-wave annular corrugations and a plurality of circumferentially stress-relieving full-wave radial spokes. The spokes follow and conform to the annular corrugations and are integrated with them to provide dual stress-relief and enhanced sensitivity for a pressure-responsive diaphragm.

Abstract: A compact, low cost, pressure responsive electrical switch of improved reliability has simple and easily assembled contacts movable on a base between open and closed circuit positions. A dished metal disc is operably connected with a diaphragm to move with snap action between original and inverted dished configurations for moving the contacts sharply between such circuit positions when selected pressures are applied to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A membrane which serves as the movable valve member of a valve such as a distribution and apportionment valve of a fuel injection system for internal combustion engines, the membrane having at least one area intended for clamping purposes, at least one area of elasticity, and at least one control area, whereby the control area has a greater thickness than does the elastic area. The clamping area of the membrane may be provided with a photographic lacquer layer (negative lacquer) which serves as a sealing means and as protection against corrosion between the membrane and the valve housing. The invention further includes a method for fabricating the membrane onto which an adherent metallic layer is applied either by galvanic means or in a chemical bath.

Abstract: An expansible device for exerting force which has a generally "S" shape cross-section, being formed by stepped diameter cylinder, and arrangements using such a device are disclosed. The device may exert sealing forces and be controlled by admission of fluid pressure which acts on a thin wall member so supported as to be subjected to compressive stress alone.

Abstract: A control unit is disclosed comprising a pressure transducer assembly and an attached output switch assembly. The transducer includes rigid body members clamped together and defining a chamber between them, a snap acting diaphragm extending through the chamber, and high and low pressure event controlling mechanisms for adjusting the pressure levels at which the diaphragm snap moves. A motion transfer pin extends from the transducer to the switch assembly to operate a control switch in response to diaphragm motion.

Abstract: A thermally-controlled valve for a steam trap and the like, includes a thermally-controlled element including generally plate-like outer and inner wall portions and a generally plate-like, resilient membrane member disposed between and welded at its outer edges to the wall portions. The outer wall portion and the membrane define therebetween a chamber for accommodating an expanding medium and a reciprocably movable locking member is disposed generally between the membrane member and the inner wall portion, and is disposed for cooperative engagement with the valve seat of the steam trap. The membrane member is coupled to the locking member to effect movement of the locking member relative to the valve seat, and is comprised of a plurality of superimposed membrane lamellae, which permits proper functioning of the valve under high operating pressures.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in highly corrosive industrial applications includes a metal body subject to corrosion and a diaphragm formed of a corrosion resistant metal. The metal of the diaphragm is metallurgically incompatible with the body metal. The diaphragm is nevertheless hermetically sealed to the body with the aid of a transition member having a first portion of metal which is metallurgically compatible with the body and a second portion of another metal metallurgically compatible with the diaphragm. Both portions are joined together by a sound, molecular bond, as for example, by using explosive bonding techniques. The first portion of the transition member is fusion welded to the body and the diaphragm is similarly welded to the second portion, thereby presenting at the process fluid interface a barrier that consists solely of corrosion resistant metal.

Abstract: A rigid and deformable hydraulic seal for a force-applying mechanism, the seal being interposed between a piston and a housing cavity. This seal is generally cup-shaped and has an annular outer end portion that is rigidly retained in a peripheral groove of the housing cavity. Adjacent to this end portion is a half torus or single convolution hoop portion open toward the cavity, with the seal further including a generally cylindrical side surface and a circular bottom portion, with this seal, together with the cavity, defining a fluid-tight variable volume chamber. Fluid pressure supplied to this chamber causes plastic deformation of the seal and permits relative motion to occur between the piston and housing.